iPhone 6 may get sapphire screen in premium models

Apple could well provide the option of a sapphire display for both models of the iPhone 6, but users might have to pay more for the privilege.

Some recent reports have suggested that the smaller of the two new iPhone 6 handsets, which are apparently set to be revealed on September 9, could miss out on a sapphire display altogether.

According to a new Wall Street Journal report, however, Apple may well provide sapphire options for both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models - but users may have to pay extra for this premium component.

This is all dependent, apparently, on whether Apple can get enough of the sapphire material to offer such an option.

With iPhone 6 production well under way and launch less than a month away, we find it hard to believe that Apple is yet to decide on such a major shift in its pricing model. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out.

The report also states that the Apple iWatch will feature a sapphire display, with the first screens rolling off production lines this month.

Apple has been investing heavily in sapphire display production in recent years, with a view to overcoming the deficiencies of current glass-based solutions.

Sapphire is much tougher and less easy to scratch than glass, although it is also denser and a lot more difficult to produce. This has led many to speculate that Apple will be constrained as to how it uses the material in its forthcoming flurry of new devices.Read more: iPhone 5S vs iPhone 6 – What to expect